Beef Lettuce Wraps Peanuts (Printable)
Savory Asian beef in crisp lettuce cups topped with crunchy peanuts.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 small onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
11 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ For Serving
14 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
15 - 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
17 - Lime wedges (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced onion, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in diced red bell pepper, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, optional oyster sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until peppers soften and beef is coated evenly.
04 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in thinly sliced green onions.
05 - Spoon the beef mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They taste like you've ordered takeout, but you made them at home in your own kitchen.
- Each bite is a perfect balance of textures: tender beef, crisp lettuce, and that satisfying crunch from the peanuts.
- No dairy, naturally lighter than most comfort foods, and they come together faster than delivery would arrive.
02 -
- If your lettuce isn't cold and crisp, it'll wilt the moment the warm beef touches it—wash and chill the leaves ahead of time so they stay sturdy.
- Don't skip breaking up the beef as it cooks; tiny crumbles cook faster and coat better with the sauce than larger chunks.
03 -
- Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking—once the pan is hot, everything moves fast and you'll want everything within arm's reach.
- If you're making this for a crowd, cook the beef filling ahead and reheat it gently just before serving, then let people assemble their own wraps while it's still warm.